Critter of the week: Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Jan. 16, 2013

Bald eagle / Missouri Department of Conservation

Written by

Missouri Department of Conservation

See them for yourself

Take your family to Eagle Days, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 26 and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 27, at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way. This event combines the indoor presence of Phoenix, a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo, with outdoor viewing opportunities at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina. An indoor program will be every hour on the hour at the nature center 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; no registration required. Call 417-888-4237.

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Claim to fame: Bald eagles are probably one of the best-known birds in North America, primarily because they are our national symbol. They are also one of Missouriís most popular wintertime wildlife visitors.

Species status: In 2007, the federal government delisted the bald eagleís status and it is no longer endangered. In Missouri, the bald eagle is listed as a species of concern. In most winters, more than 2,000 bald eagles are counted in Missouri in winter.

Discovered: Bald eagles were known to Native Americans and to early settlers. In the 19th century and early 20th century, bald eagles were considered to be predators of young livestock (a perception that is largely untrue), and a bounty was placed on bald eagles in some parts of the country. This hunting and pesticide use that caused egg problems were the main factors in the decline of North Americaís bald eagle numbers.

Family matters: Bald eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, a group of diurnal (daytime) birds of prey that is composed primarily of hawks, eagles and kites.

Length: 30 to 43 inches

Diet: Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, but they will also eat smaller birds, small mammals and carrion.

Weight: 8 to 15 pounds

Distinguishing characteristics: Bald eagles have a well-known color pattern of dark brown plumage with a white head. (An eagleís white head feathers do not appear until they are approximately 5 years old. Before that, an eagleís head feathers are dark.) It is estimated that a bald eagleís vision is five to six times sharper than a humanís. An eagleís normal flight speed ranges between 20 mph and 40 mph, but when diving, an eagle can reach speeds of more than 100 mph.

Life span: Up to 40 years in the wild.

Habitat: Bald eagles are able to live anywhere on the North American continent where there are adequate nest trees, roosts and feeding grounds. A nearby source of open water is a must.

Life cycle: Bald eagles breed in winter and, in Missouri, nesting can begin as early as January or February. Bald eagle mating pairs tend to maintain a long-term bond and often reuse nests over a period of years. They add to the structure with each nesting, which result in the formation of some of the largest bird nests in the world.